Bermuda buffeted by gusty winds, rain from Hurricane Rafael as it passes to the east

HAMILTON, Bermuda – Fast-moving Hurricane Rafael was barreling past Bermuda on Tuesday night, driving gusty winds and pelting rain as its center traveled east of the storm-hardened British Atlantic territory.

By 8 p.m. EDT, Rafael was a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph (140 kph) as its spinning center was located about 115 miles (190 kilometers) east-southeast of Bermuda. Since hurricane-force winds only extend outward by some 35 miles, Bermuda was being buffeted by tropical-storm-force winds that were expected to subside by Wednesday morning.

National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief said Rafael was not having much of an impact on Tuesday night as the storm was making its closest point of approach. There were scattered power outages impacting about 400 homes but no immediate reports of any significant damage or flooding.

"Hurricane Rafael mainly brought rain and some high winds but essentially paid a glancing blow to the island," Perinchief said.

Satellite images showed the big storm system dwarfing the tiny British territory, where strict building codes are enforced to withstand rough weather. The hurricane was moving north-northeast at 26 mph (43 kph) and it was expected to gradually weaken over the next 48 hours as it heads out further over the open Atlantic.

Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Rafael was expected to fizzle out later in the week.

Bermuda Weather Service director Kimberley Zuill said wind gusts at the territory's highest areas could reach up to 75 mph and warned of the possibility of flooding.

"We have already been under the effects of Rafael this morning as the first rain band swept across the area bringing rainfall to much of the island," Zuill said. "Fortunately, Rafael's strongest winds remain on the eastern side of the system and furthest away from Bermuda."

Seas around the island's outer reefs are expected to surge to 18 feet (5 meters) late Tuesday, she said.

Swells generated by the hurricane were also expected to impact eastern-facing beaches of the Bahamas and portions of the U.S. East Coast during the next couple of days.

Some bars and restaurants in Hamilton remained open on Tuesday night and were doing a brisk business.

"People have been getting their dinners here rather than going home to cook. Nobody's bothered about the storm and everybody's fine," said Jeremy Paris, manager of the Bermuda Bistro at the Beach.

Among those waiting for Rafael to pass in Bermuda was 38-year-old Chris Shallcross, a senior software developer who moved to the island from Britain about two weeks ago.

"I haven't done much to prepare, except buy some waterproofs because it looks like it might be a bit wet and windy," Shallcross said. "I hope that's not the naivety of a newbie to the island."

Government offices closed about an hour earlier than usual on Tuesday afternoon to give public workers a chance to complete storm preparations at home. Several flights were cancelled and several others rescheduled. Most of the local ferry service was suspended as well.